Are you looking for the most bird-friendly trees? Then you've come to the right place! If you have a Create bird friendly garden and want to enjoy even more birdsong in the future, choosing the right woody plants is essential. You will literally attract the birds magically if the plants provide them with safe nesting opportunities and a wide range of food in the form of berries, fruit and lots of insects.
In this article, I will introduce you to the best native trees and large shrubs to transform your garden into a bird sanctuary. I'll also give you the most important facts about each of the trees and shrubs. Let's go!
1. Rowan Tree (Sorbus aucuparia)
The rowan (also known as mountain ash) is one of the most important bird trees in Germany. Its bright red berries are an important food source for around 63 native bird speciesespecially during the cold months when food is scarce. The tree also provides shelter and nesting opportunities for birds - and also fits very well in smaller gardens.
You can get rowanberries from the plant market or here online at the Horstmann nursery*.
Key facts about rowan berries:
- Birds: Important for around 63 bird species (including song thrush, blackbird and robin)
- Dimensions: about 8-15 meters high and 4-6 meters wide
- Location: Sun to partial shade
- Other: Also very good for wild bees and other insects
Important: The rowan berry is also a wonderful alternative for Non-native, invasive tree speciesthat displace local trees. These include, for example, the vinegar tree or the late-flowering bird cherry. You can find out which other non-native trees you should avoid in your garden in the linked article.
2. Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
Important for the Biodiversity and the birds in the garden is also the bird cherry (often also called sweet cherry), as its red cherries provide them with food and their flowers attract countless caterpillars, hoverflies and beetles.
The dense branches make this native tree, which is widespread throughout Germany, all the more important as an Bird sanctuary.
You can find bird cherry in the plant market or here online at the Horstmann nursery*.
Key facts about the bird cherry:
- Birds: Important for around 48 bird species (including starling, hawfinch and mistle thrush)
- Dimensions: about 15-20 meters high and 7-12 meters wide
- Location: Sun to partial shade
- Other: Also important for wild bees and other insects
3. Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata)
The two-ribbed hawthorn is a native shrub or tree and is known for its dense, thorny brancheswhich offer birds excellent protection from cats and other predators. In addition, its Stone fruits in winter as a much sought-after bird food. In summer, it attracts many insects, which are also eaten by birds.
As the bird-friendly tree does not grow quite so tall, it is also very good for a wild hedge or generally suitable for smaller gardens.
You can find the two-stemmed hawthorn in well-equipped plant centers or also here online at the Horstmann nursery*.
Key facts about the two-ribbed hawthorn:
- Birds: Important for around 32 bird species (including greenfinch, house sparrow and robin)
- Dimensions: about 3-5 meters high and 2-3 meters wide
- Location: Sun to partial shade
- Other: Extremely insect- and above all bee-friendly
Good to know: There is also the single-stemmed hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), which has a similar ecological value and is also a bird-friendly tree.
4. Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
The early Blossom of the cornelian cherry attracts insects, which in turn attract birds. And their robust fruits serve as food for birds and some mammals in the fall.
But the cornelian is not only a great bird food tree. The soaring branches of the bird-friendly tree also serve as a Nesting and landing site.
You will find the cornelian cherry here at the Horstmann nursery* or alternatively in your local plant shop.
Key facts about the cornelian cherry:
- Birds: Important for around 15 bird species (including bullfinch, hawfinch and jay)
- Dimensions: about 2-6 meters high and 3-5 meters wide
- Location: Sun to shade
- Other: Dormice and dormice also like the fruit
5. Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
You want to promote bird conservation and Stop global species extinction? Then the common juniper (often also called common juniper) should definitely be one of the woody plants in your garden! The nutritious juniper berries of the conifer provide an important source of food for numerous birds native to Germany.
Its dense branches also provide protection and a safe breeding ground. As the juniper is quite tall but only up to one meter wide It also fits very well in corners of the garden where there is not really much room for a large tree.
You will find the common juniper here at the Horstmann nursery* or alternatively in any well-stocked plant center.
Key facts about the common juniper:
- Birds: Important for around 43 bird species (including blackbirds, crows and quails)
- Dimensions: about 4-5 meters high and 1 meter wide
- Location: Sun to partial shade
- Other: Squirrels and some insects also enjoy it
Tip: How you lure squirrels into your gardenI explain this in more detail in the linked blog article.
6. Field Maple (Acer campestre)
You are probably already familiar with the field maple (also known as the Maßholder). It is a native and widespread tree in Germany. Its Branches and their seeds make it a valuable bird protection and nesting tree. It is also a wonderful insect plant and offers birds year-round protection from predators.
You can buy the field maple in plant shops or here online at the Horstmann nursery*.
Key facts about the field maple:
- Birds: Important for around 15 bird species (including finches, tits and nuthatches)
- Dimensions: about 5-15 meters high and 5-10 meters wide
- Location: Sun to partial shade
- Other: Leaves also serve as food for many butterfly caterpillars
Alternative: As the field maple can grow quite large, the cone maple (Acer campestre) is a possible alternative for hobby gardeners with smaller gardens.
7. True Service Tree (Sorbus domestica)
The Speierling is a very old variety of fruit tree that many people not so well known is. However, birds appreciate its fruit (which is also edible for us humans) all the more, which is why it should not be missing from this list of bird-friendly trees.
Especially in the fall, when nature's "buffet" is not so rich, they are urgently needed. The expansive crown of the hemlock tree also offers the feathered garden inhabitants plenty of space to hide and nest.
The Speierling available here at the Horstmann nursery* or at your local specialist retailer.
Key facts about the Speierling:
- Birds: Important for many bird species (e.g. thrush and blackbird)
- Dimensions: about 3-15 meters high and 8-10 meters wide
- Location: Sun to partial shade (allow plenty of light and space!)
- Other: A rare garden tree with great value for wild bees
Important: If you have large glass surfaces on your house, there is a high risk that the birds will collide with them. To avoid a fatal collision, it is advisable to plant the trees a little closer to the house. Further tips for effective Bird protection at the window in the linked blog post.
8. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
The blackthorn is a native and beautifully flowering shrub - and for me something like a All-rounder among the woody plantsthat definitely belongs in every garden.
Not only because his Fruits is an important source of food for many birds, because its thorns offer them protection from predators or because its branches are often used as Nesting and landing site be used. No. Also because blackthorn is one of the most valuable plants for wild bees and insects - making it all the more attractive to birds.
You get the sloe here online at the Horstmann nursery* or at your local garden center.
- Birds: Important for around 20 bird species (including the titmouse, warbler and red-backed shrike)
- Dimensions: approx. 2-4 meters high and 2-4 meters wide
- Location: Sun to partial shade
- Other: Extremely valuable for countless wild bees, caterpillars, flies and beetles
9. Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
With the service tree, you are planting a beautiful deciduous tree and a Real bird protection and bird food tree in your garden.
The dense foliage of the rowan provides them with both shelter and nesting opportunities. Their red Fruits are an urgently needed source of food for many native birds, especially in the cold season. The fact that their flowers in May and June Attract a variety of insectsmakes the tree even more interesting for birds.
I have my Whitebeam here at the Horstmann nursery* ordered. With a bit of luck you can also find them in your local plant shop.
- Birds: Important for around 18 bird species (including blackcap and jay)
- Dimensions: about 4-15 meters high and 4-7 meters wide
- Location: Sun to partial shade
- Other: Valuable woody plant for many wild bees
10. Wild Pear (Pyrus pyraster)
The native wild pear bears in the fall Edible fruitswhich serve as food for us humans, but of course also for many birds. As the beautiful, white Splendor of blossoms As the deciduous tree attracts bees and other insects, it is definitely one of the most important bird trees in the garden.
The wild tree also provides protection for feathered animals and is therefore often used as a Hatchery used. An absolute highlight in any bird-friendly garden.
You can only get the wild pear in very well-equipped plant centers. Alternatively, you can also plant the cultivated form (Pyrus communis) that you here at the Horstmann nursery*.
- Birds: Important for 24 bird species (including blackbirds, starlings and waxwings)
- Dimensions: about 5-15 meters high and 5-10 meters wide
- Location: Sun
- Other: Very friendly to wild bees; dormice and hedgehogs also love them
Good to know: In contrast to the wild pear, the cultivated pear (Pyrus communis) is a so-called neophyte, i.e. an introduced tree that was not originally native to Germany. Nevertheless, it is also valuable for many birds and insects.
Plant the Best Trees for Birds and Make a Difference in Your Garden!
It's really simple, transform your garden step by step into a haven for birds. Here today you have learned about the most bird-friendly trees and shrubs. Just start slowly planting some of these plants on your property and watch the bird diversity unfold before your eyes.
I don't want to leave it unmentioned that there are of course a few other valuable bird protection and bird food trees. For example, I can think of the Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), the Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)the hazel (Corylus avellana), the German oak (Quercus robur) and the Common rock pear (Amelanchier ovalis) all of which you also here at the Horstmann nursery* find.
What's more, all the trees mentioned can then also be usefully Bird-friendly perennials and rose hedges 🙂 And if you still need a good guide for more birdsong in your own greenery, I can warmly recommend the Book "My bird-friendly garden" by Ursula Kopp* where you will also notice some trees from this article.
"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (more at Garden Quotes)
I hope that this article has inspired you to consciously plant bird-friendly trees in your garden in order to counteract the declining bird population in Germany. Do you have any questions, suggestions or your own ideas for valuable trees and shrubs that you would like to share? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay bird-friendly and close to nature,
PS: What to do if you have found an injured bird? The answer flutters to you in the linked blog article. Be sure to take a look if you want to be prepared in such an animal emergency situation and help the stricken bird.
